Uplink feedback method, user equipment, and base station

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an uplink feedback method, user equipment, and a base station, where the method includes: detecting, by user equipment, downlink data in at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames; performing joint encoding, by the user equipment, for a feedback for the downlink data in the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames; and transmitting, by the user equipment in an uplink sub-frame corresponding to the last sub-frame of the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames, joint uplink feedback information for the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames, so as to resolve issue how uplink feedback is performed when downlink bandwidth is different from uplink bandwidth.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/804,096, filed on Jul. 20, 2015, which is a continuation ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/CN2013/070784, filed on Jan.21, 2013. All of the afore-mentioned patent applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of communicationstechnologies, and in particular, to an uplink feedback method, userequipment, and a base station.

BACKGROUND

In the prior art, the frequency band of the Universal MobileTelecommunications System (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System,UMTS for short) is 5 MHz wide, a network transmits and receives data onsame uplink and downlink bandwidth, and user equipment (User Equipment,UE for short) also transmits and receives data on same bandwidth.

A narrow-band UMTS system has relatively high spectral efficiency. Forthe uplink, if a 5 MHz band is divided into multiple subcarriers, uplinkinterference between UEs on different subcarriers will decrease.Therefore, a high uplink throughput is obtained when the UEs performuplink transmission in a narrow-band system.

When the downlink band is 5 MHz, and the 5 MHz uplink band is dividedinto two subcarriers, the length of a downlink sub-frame is half that ofan uplink subcarrier. When downlink carrier bandwidth is N times uplinkcarrier bandwidth, a length of a downlink sub-frame or transmission timeinterval is 1/N of a length of an uplink sub-frame or transmission timeinterval. For timing of all uplink channels of N uplink carriers,reference is made to a channel of a same downlink carrier.

However, narrow bandwidth makes it difficult to perform uplink feedbackin a scenario in which downlink bandwidth is different from uplinkbandwidth.

In addition, in other systems in which an uplink transmission timeinterval (such as a length of a sub-frame) is greater than a downlinktransmission time interval (such as a length of a sub-frame), the sameuplink feedback issue exists.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide an uplink feedback method,user equipment, and a base station, to resolve the issue how uplinkfeedback is performed when downlink bandwidth is greater than uplinkbandwidth or when an uplink transmission time interval is greater than adownlink transmission time interval.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides an uplink feedback method, including:

-   -   detecting, by user equipment, downlink data in at least two        consecutive downlink sub-frames;    -   performing joint encoding, by the user equipment, for a feedback        for the downlink data in the at least two consecutive downlink        sub-frames; and    -   transmitting, by the user equipment in an uplink sub-frame        corresponding to the last sub-frame of the at least two        consecutive downlink sub-frames, joint uplink feedback        information for the at least two consecutive downlink        sub-frames.

In a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames are at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames on a single carrier.

According to the first possible implementation manner of the firstaspect, in a second possible implementation manner, a sum of lengths ofthe at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames on the single carrieris equal to a length of the uplink sub-frame.

According to the first possible implementation manner of the firstaspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames include at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames of a primary cell of the user equipment; or

-   -   the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames include at        least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of a secondary cell of        the user equipment.

According to the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementationmanner, a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the primary cell isequal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell; or

-   -   a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the secondary cell is        equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell.

With reference to the first aspect, the first possible implementationmanner of the first aspect, the second possible implementation manner ofthe first aspect, the third possible implementation manner of the firstaspect, and the fourth possible implementation manner of the firstaspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the joint uplinkfeedback information includes joint encoding information of the at leasttwo consecutive downlink sub-frames.

With reference to the first aspect, the first possible implementationmanner of the first aspect, the second possible implementation manner ofthe first aspect, the third possible implementation manner of the firstaspect, and the fourth possible implementation manner of the firstaspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, a quantity of piecesof HARQ feedback information in the joint encoding information isgreater than a quantity of cells.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides an uplink feedback method, including:

-   -   transmitting, by a base station, downlink data to user        equipment; and    -   receiving, by the base station in an uplink sub-frame        corresponding to at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames,        joint uplink feedback information that is for the at least two        consecutive downlink sub-frames and transmitted by the user        equipment.

In a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames are at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames on a single carrier.

According to the first possible implementation manner of the secondaspect, in a second possible implementation manner, a sum of lengths ofthe at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames on the single carrieris equal to a length of the uplink sub-frame.

According to the first possible implementation manner of the secondaspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the second aspect,the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames include at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames of a primary cell of the user equipment;or

-   -   the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames include at        least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of a secondary cell of        the user equipment.

According to the second aspect, in a fourth possible implementationmanner, a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the primary cell isequal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell; or

-   -   a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the secondary cell is        equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell.

With reference to the second aspect, the first possible implementationmanner of the second aspect, the second possible implementation mannerof the second aspect, the third possible implementation manner of thesecond aspect, and the fourth possible implementation manner of thesecond aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the jointuplink feedback information includes joint encoding information of theat least two consecutive downlink sub-frames.

With reference to the second aspect, the first possible implementationmanner of the second aspect, the second possible implementation mannerof the second aspect, the third possible implementation manner of thesecond aspect, and the fourth possible implementation manner of thesecond aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, a quantity ofpieces of HARQ feedback information in the joint encoding information isgreater than a quantity of cells.

According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides user equipment, including:

-   -   a data receiving module, configured to detect downlink data in        at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames;    -   a joint encoding module, configured to perform joint encoding        for a feedback for the downlink data in the at least two        consecutive downlink sub-frames; and    -   a feedback information transmitting module, configured to        transmit, in an uplink sub-frame corresponding to the last        sub-frame of the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames,        joint uplink feedback information for the at least two        consecutive downlink sub-frames.

In a first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames are at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames on a single carrier.

According to the first possible implementation manner of the thirdaspect, in a second possible implementation manner, a sum of lengths ofthe at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames on the single carrieris equal to a length of the uplink sub-frame.

According to the third aspect, in a third possible implementation mannerof the third aspect, the at least two consecutive downlink sub-framesinclude at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of a primary cellof the user equipment; or

-   -   the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames include at        least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of a secondary cell of        the user equipment.

According to the third possible implementation manner of the thirdaspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, a sum of lengths ofdownlink sub-frames of the primary cell is equal to a length of anuplink sub-frame of the primary cell; or

-   -   a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the secondary cell is        equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell.

With reference to the third aspect, the first possible implementationmanner of the third aspect, the second possible implementation manner ofthe third aspect, the third possible implementation manner of the thirdaspect, and the fourth possible implementation manner of the thirdaspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the joint uplinkfeedback information includes joint encoding information of the at leasttwo consecutive downlink sub-frames.

With reference to the third aspect, the first possible implementationmanner of the third aspect, the second possible implementation manner ofthe third aspect, the third possible implementation manner of the thirdaspect, and the fourth possible implementation manner of the thirdaspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, a quantity of piecesof HARQ feedback information in the joint encoding information isgreater than a quantity of cells.

According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides a base station, including:

-   -   a data transmitting module, configured to transmit downlink data        to user equipment; and    -   a feedback information receiving module, configured to receive,        in an uplink sub-frame corresponding to at least two consecutive        downlink sub-frames, joint uplink feedback information that is        for the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames and        transmitted by the user equipment.

In a first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames are at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames on a single carrier.

According to the first possible implementation manner of the fourthaspect, in a second possible implementation manner, a sum of lengths ofthe at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames on the single carrieris equal to a length of the uplink sub-frame.

According to the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementationmanner, the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames include atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames of a primary cell of the userequipment; or

-   -   the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames include at        least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of a secondary cell of        the user equipment.

According to the third possible implementation manner of the fourthaspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, a sum of lengths ofdownlink sub-frames of the primary cell is equal to a length of anuplink sub-frame of the primary cell; or

-   -   a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the secondary cell is        equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell.

With reference to the fourth aspect, the first possible implementationmanner of the fourth aspect, the second possible implementation mannerof the fourth aspect, the third possible implementation manner of thefourth aspect, and the fourth possible implementation manner of thefourth aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the jointuplink feedback information includes joint encoding information of theat least two consecutive downlink sub-frames.

With reference to the fourth aspect, the first possible implementationmanner of the fourth aspect, the second possible implementation mannerof the fourth aspect, the third possible implementation manner of thefourth aspect, and the fourth possible implementation manner of thefourth aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, a quantity ofpieces of HARQ feedback information in the joint encoding information isgreater than a quantity of cells.

According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides user equipment, including:

-   -   a receiver, configured to detect downlink data in at least two        consecutive downlink sub-frames;    -   a processor, configured to perform joint encoding for a feedback        for the downlink data in the at least two consecutive downlink        sub-frames; and    -   a transmitter, configured to transmit, in an uplink sub-frame        corresponding to the last sub-frame of the at least two        consecutive downlink sub-frames, joint uplink feedback        information for the at least two consecutive downlink        sub-frames.

In a first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames are at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames on a single carrier.

According to the first possible implementation manner of the fifthaspect, in a second possible implementation manner, a sum of lengths ofthe at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames on the single carrieris equal to a length of the uplink sub-frame.

According to the fifth aspect, in a third possible implementationmanner, the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames include atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames of a primary cell of the userequipment; or

-   -   the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames include at        least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of a secondary cell of        the user equipment.

According to the third possible implementation manner of the fifthaspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, a sum of lengths ofdownlink sub-frames of the primary cell is equal to a length of anuplink sub-frame of the primary cell; or

-   -   a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the secondary cell is        equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell.

With reference to the fifth aspect, the first possible implementationmanner of the fifth aspect, the second possible implementation manner ofthe fifth aspect, the third possible implementation manner of the fifthaspect, and the fourth possible implementation manner of the fifthaspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the joint uplinkfeedback information includes joint encoding information of the at leasttwo consecutive downlink sub-frames.

With reference to the fifth aspect, the first possible implementationmanner of the fifth aspect, the second possible implementation manner ofthe fifth aspect, the third possible implementation manner of the fifthaspect, and the fourth possible implementation manner of the fifthaspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, a quantity of piecesof HARQ feedback information in the joint encoding information isgreater than a quantity of cells.

According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides a base station, including:

-   -   a transmitter, configured to transmit downlink data to user        equipment; and    -   a receiver, configured to receive, in an uplink sub-frame        corresponding to at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames,        joint uplink feedback information that is for the at least two        consecutive downlink sub-frames and transmitted by the user        equipment.

In a first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames are at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames on a single carrier.

According to the first possible implementation manner of the sixthaspect, in a second possible implementation manner, a sum of lengths ofthe at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames on the single carrieris equal to a length of the uplink sub-frame.

According to the sixth aspect, in a third possible implementationmanner, the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames include atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames of a primary cell of the userequipment; or

-   -   the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames include at        least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of a secondary cell of        the user equipment.

According to the third possible implementation manner of the sixthaspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, a sum of lengths ofdownlink sub-frames of the primary cell is equal to a length of anuplink sub-frame of the primary cell; or

-   -   a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the secondary cell is        equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell.

With reference to the sixth aspect, the first possible implementationmanner of the sixth aspect, the second possible implementation manner ofthe sixth aspect, the third possible implementation manner of the sixthaspect, and the fourth possible implementation manner of the sixthaspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the joint uplinkfeedback information includes joint encoding information of the at leasttwo consecutive downlink sub-frames.

With reference to the sixth aspect, the first possible implementationmanner of the sixth aspect, the second possible implementation manner ofthe sixth aspect, the third possible implementation manner of the sixthaspect, and the fourth possible implementation manner of the sixthaspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, a quantity of piecesof HARQ feedback information in the joint encoding information isgreater than a quantity of cells.

According to the uplink feedback method, the user equipment, and thebase station that are provided in the embodiments of the presentinvention, a base station uses at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames to transmit downlink data to user equipment, and the userequipment transmits, in an uplink sub-frame corresponding to the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames, joint uplink feedbackinformation for the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames to thebase station, which implements uplink feedback when downlink bandwidthis different from uplink bandwidth or when an uplink transmission timeinterval is greater than a downlink transmission time interval.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the presentinvention more clearly, the following briefly introduces theaccompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments.Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description showsome embodiments of the present invention, and a person of ordinaryskill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanyingdrawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of Embodiment 1 of an uplink feedback methodaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an uplink feedback for a radio frameaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of dual-carrier scenario 1 according toEmbodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of dual-carrier scenario 2 according toEmbodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of dual-carrier scenario 3 according toEmbodiment 4 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of Embodiment 2 of an uplink feedback methodaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of userequipment according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of a basestation according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of userequipment according to the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of a basestation according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of theembodiments of the present invention clearer, the following clearlydescribes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the presentinvention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodimentsof the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are somebut not all of the embodiments of the present invention. All otherembodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based onthe embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shallfall within the protection scope of the present invention.

The technology described in this specification may be used in varioustypes of mobile communications systems in which uplink bandwidth isunequal to downlink bandwidth, such as the universal mobiletelecommunications system (UMTS, Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem).

User equipment in this application may be a wireless terminal or a wiredterminal. The wireless terminal may refer to a device that provides auser with voice and/or data connectivity, a handheld device with a radioconnection function, or another processing device connected to a radiomodem. The wireless terminal may communicate with one or more corenetworks through a radio access network (such as RAN, Radio AccessNetwork). The wireless terminal may be a mobile terminal, such as amobile phone (also referred to as a “cellular” phone) and a computerwith a mobile terminal, for example, may be a portable, pocket-sized,handheld, computer built-in, or in-vehicle mobile apparatus, whichexchanges voice and/or data with the radio access network. For example,it may be a device such as a personal communication service (PCS,Personal Communication Service) phone, a cordless telephone set, aSession Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL,Wireless Local Loop) station, or a personal digital assistant (PDA,Personal Digital Assistant). The wireless terminal may also be called asystem, a subscriber unit (Subscriber Unit), a subscriber station(Subscriber Station), a mobile station (Mobile Station), a mobileterminal (Mobile), a remote station (Remote Station), an access point(Access Point), a remote terminal (Remote Terminal), an access terminal(Access Terminal), a user terminal (User Terminal), a user agent (UserAgent), a user device (User Device), or user equipment (User Equipment).

A base station in this application may include a radio networkcontroller (Radio Network Controller, RNC), and may further include adevice in communication with a wireless terminal via one or more sectorsat an air interface in an access network. The base station may beconfigured to mutually convert received over-the-air frames and IPpackets and serve as a router between the wireless terminal and a restportion of the access network, where the rest portion of the accessnetwork may include an Internet Protocol (IP) network. The base stationmay further coordinate attribute management of the air interface. Forexample, the base station may be a base transceiver station (BTS, BaseTransceiver Station) in GSM or CDMA, or may be a NodeB (NodeB) in WCDMA,or may be an evolved NodeB (NodeB, eNB, or e-NodeB, evolved NodeB) inLTE, which is not limited in the present application.

The sequence numbers of the following embodiments of the presentinvention are merely for description, and do not imply the preferenceamong the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a flowchart of Embodiment 1 of anuplink feedback method according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the uplink feedback method provided in this embodiment isexecuted by user equipment. The uplink feedback method in thisembodiment includes:

S101. User equipment detects downlink data in at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames.

Specifically, the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames may be atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames on a single carrier, or mayinclude downlink sub-frames on at least two carriers.

In an implementation scenario in which the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames are at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames ona single carrier, optionally, a sum of lengths of the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames on the single carrier is equal to alength of an uplink sub-frame.

In an implementation scenario in which the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames are at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames onat least two carriers, optionally, the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames on the at least two carriers may include at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames of a primary cell of the user equipment;or the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames on the at least twocarriers may include at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of asecondary cell of the user equipment.

Further, a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the primary cell maybe equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell; or asum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the secondary cell may be equalto a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell.

S102. The user equipment perform joint encoding for a feedback for thedownlink data in the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames.

Specifically, a quantity of pieces of HARQ feedback information in jointencoding information is greater than a quantity of cells.

S103. The user equipment transmits, in an uplink sub-frame correspondingto the last sub-frame of the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames, joint uplink feedback information for the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames.

Specifically, the joint uplink feedback information may include jointencoding information of the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames, where the joint encoding information refers to HARQinformation in a joint uplink feedback and a channel quality indicatorCQI.

According to the uplink feedback method provided in this embodiment,when user equipment receives downlink data transmitted by a base stationby using at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames, the userequipment transmits, in an uplink sub-frame corresponding to the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames, joint uplink feedbackinformation for the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames to thebase station, which implements uplink feedback when downlink bandwidthis different from uplink bandwidth or when an uplink transmission timeinterval is different from a downlink transmission time interval.

In order to make the foregoing uplink feedback method more specific, thefollowing separately describes the uplink feedback method provided inthe present invention for an implementation scenario in which the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames are at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames on a single carrier and an implementation scenarioin which the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames are at leasttwo consecutive downlink sub-frames on multiple carriers.

In the implementation scenario in which the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames are at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames ona single carrier.

A radio frame is used an example in this embodiment, and duration of theradio frame is 20 ms, where a length of a downlink sub-frame is 2 ms,and a length of an uplink sub-frame is 4 ms. FIG. 2 is a schematicdiagram of an uplink feedback for a radio frame according to the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 2, HS-SCCH is a high speed shared controlchannel, HS-DSCH NB is a high speed downlink shared channel of a basestation, HS-DSCH UE is a high speed downlink shared channel of the userequipment, HS-DPCCH UE is high speed dedicated physical control channelof the user equipment, and HS-DPCCH NB is a high speed dedicatedphysical uplink feedback control channel of the base station.

A joint feedback is performed for two consecutive HS-DPCCH downlinksub-frames by using one uplink feedback HS-DPCCH sub-frame. For acodebook of a hybrid automatic repeat request (Hybrid Automatic RepeatRequest, HARQ for short) feedback in this case, a dual carrier (DC, DualCarrier) joint feedback codebook is used, that is, joint uplink feedbackinformation may be determined by using the DC joint feedback codebook.An example in which a sum of lengths of two consecutive downlinksub-frames on a single carrier is equal to a length of one uplinksub-frame is used in this embodiment. Specifically, the followingseveral implementation scenarios are classified:

When the base station transmits downlink data to the user equipment, andthe user equipment only receives an HS-SCCH of the first transmissiontime interval (Transmission Time Interval, TTI for short) or sub-frame,a format of a used feedback codebook is shown in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ACK 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 NACK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

When the base station transmits downlink data to the user equipment, andthe user equipment only receives an HS-SCCH of the second TTI orsub-frame, a format of a used feedback codebook is shown in Table 2:

TABLE 2 ACK 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 NACK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

When the base station transmits downlink data to the user equipment, andthe user equipment receives HS-SCCHs of two TTIs or sub-frames, a jointfeedback is performed for the first sub-frame or TTI and the secondsub-frame or TTI, and a format of a used feedback codebook is shown inTable 3, where the first column in the table represents feedbackinformation for the first sub-frame or TTI, and the second column in thetable represents feedback information for the second sub-frame or TTI.

The foregoing feedback codebooks in Table 1 and Table 2 may be usedinterchangeably; that is, the codebook in Table 2 is used for a feedbackfor the first sub-frame or TTI, and the codebook in Table 1 is used fora feedback for the second sub-frame or TTI.

TABLE 3 ACK ACK 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 ACK NACK 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 NACKACK 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 NACK NACK 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1

Timing of an uplink feedback of the user equipment is determinedaccording to the last sub-frame of the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames. For example, when a joint feedback is performed for twoconsecutive sub-frames, the feedback is performed according to thesecond sub-frame.

Joint encoding and feedback are performed for at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames of a cell, and the user equipment and the basestation may determine a joint feedback by means of an agreement, or anRNC notifies the UE and the base station that a joint feedback needs tobe performed for consecutive sub-frames of a primary cell and asub-frame of a secondary cell, or the base station may notify, by usingan instruction message, the UE that a joint feedback needs to beperformed for consecutive sub-frames of the cell. For the latter twomanners, a network side may instruct, after determining that the UE cansupport a joint feedback for consecutive sub-frames, the UE to perform ajoint feedback for the consecutive sub-frames.

Specifically, for a manner in which the RNC notifies the UE and the basestation that a joint feedback needs to be performed for the consecutivesub-frames of the primary cell and the sub-frame of the secondary cell,the UE reports, to the RNC, a capability of supporting a joint feedbackfor consecutive sub-frames, and the RNC notifies the base station thatthe UE has the capability, or instructs the base station to decipherfeedback information of the UE according to a joint feedback forconsecutive sub-frames. For a case in which the RNC instructs the UE touse a joint feedback method for consecutive sub-frames, optionally,sub-frame information may further be indicated in the joint feedback,where the information includes at least one of the followinginformation: a quantity of sub-frames and at least two sub-framenumbers.

For a manner in which the base station may notify, by using aninstruction message, the user equipment that a joint feedback needs tobe performed for the consecutive sub-frames of the cell, the UE reports,to the RNC, a capability of supporting a joint feedback for consecutivesub-frames, the RNC notifies the base station that the UE has thecapability, and the base station instructs the UE to use the jointfeedback method for the consecutive sub-frames. Further, sub-frameinformation may further be indicated in the joint feedback, where theinformation includes at least one of the following information: aquantity of sub-frames and at least two sub-frame numbers.

A network side may configure a codebook used for a feedback forconsecutive sub-frames. Further, the network side may indicate feedbackcodebooks used during feedback encoding performed when only the firstsub-frame is received, when only the second sub-frame is received, andwhen two sub-frames are received, where the feedback codebooksspecifically refer to the foregoing feedback codebooks in Table 1, Table2, and Table 3.

The foregoing single-carrier configuration manner may also be applicableto configuration in a dual-carrier or multi-carrier scenario.

The following uses an implementation scenario in which at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames are at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames on dual carriers as an example for description:

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of dual-carrier scenario 1 according toEmbodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, in thisembodiment, at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames include onedownlink sub-frame of a primary cell and two consecutive downlinksub-frames of a secondary cell.

Joint encoding and feedback are performed for the one downlink sub-frameof the primary cell and the two consecutive downlink sub-frames of thesecondary cell, and user equipment and a base station may determine ajoint feedback by pre-negotiation, or a base station or an RNC maynotify, by using an instruction message, user equipment that a jointfeedback needs to be performed for the consecutive sub-frames of thesecondary cell and the sub-frame of the primary cell. Specifically,uplink feedbacks are in the following two data formats, as shown inTable 4 and Table 5, where DC case represents a dual-carrier scenario;Cell activation status represents a cell activation status; —representsdeactivation, that is, a joint feedback function is disabled; Cell 1represents a primary cell; Cell 2 represents a secondary cell; Sub-framerepresents a sub-frame; HS-DPCCH sub-frame#1 represents a sub-frame of ahigh speed dedicated physical control channel; Slot represents atimeslot; A represents ACK; D represents discontinuous transmission; CQIrepresents a channel quality indicator.

TABLE 4 Cell activation status Cell 1 Cell 2 DC Sub-frame Sub frame Subframe HS-DPCCH sub-frame #1 case 0 0-1 0-2 Slot 0 Slot 1 Slot 2 1 A A AA0&A1&A2 CQI0&CQI1 2 A — — A0&D&D CQI0

In Table 4, DC case 1 indicates that both the primary cell and thesecondary cell are activated, a joint feedback is performed for the onesub-frame of the primary cell and the two sub-frames of the secondarycell, and a joint feedback is also performed for CQI0 of the primarycell and CQI1 of the secondary cell. DC case 2 indicates that only theprimary cell is activated, and the secondary cell is deactivated.Therefore, uplink feedback is performed only for the CQI of the primarycell. Activation refers that downlink data can be transmitted, anddeactivation refers that downlink data cannot be transmitted.

TABLE 5 Cell activation status Cell 2 DC Cell 1 Sub Sub HS-DPCCHsub-frame #1 case Sub-frame 0 frame 0-1 frame 0-2 Slot 0 Slot 1 Slot 2 1A A A A0&A1&A2 CQI0 CQI1 2 A — — A0&D&D CQI0

In Table 5, DC case 1 indicates that both the primary cell and thesecondary cell are activated, a joint feedback is performed for the onesub-frame of the primary cell and the two sub-frames of the secondarycell, but uplink feedback is separately performed for CQI0 of theprimary cell and CQI1 of the secondary cell. DC case 2 indicates thatonly the primary cell is activated, the secondary cell is deactivated,and uplink feedback is independently performed for CQI0 of the primarycell.

For a codebook of an HARQ feedback in this scenario, a DF-3C jointfeedback codebook is used. As shown in Table 6, A represents ACK, Nrepresents NACK, D represents discontinuous transmission (DTX,Discontinuous Transmission), and HARQ-ACK message to be transmittedrepresents HARQ-ACK feedback information.

Specifically, in the HARQ-ACK feedback information, the first piece offeedback information is feedback information for the primary cell, thesecond piece of feedback information is feedback information for thefirst sub-frame of the secondary cell, and the third piece of feedbackinformation is feedback information for the second sub-frame of thesecondary cell. For example, for A/D/D in the first column, the firstpiece of feedback information A is ACK feedback information for theprimary cell, the second piece of feedback information D is DTX feedbackinformation for the first sub-frame of the secondary cell, and the thirdpiece of feedback information D is DTX feedback information for thesecond sub-frame of the secondary cell.

Joint encoding and feedback are performed for the downlink sub-frame ofthe primary cell and the two consecutive downlink sub-frames of thesecondary cell, and the user equipment and the base station maydetermine a joint feedback by means of an agreement, or the RNC notifiesthe UE and the base station that a joint feedback needs to be performedfor the sub-frame of the primary cell and the consecutive sub-frames ofthe secondary cell, or the base station may notify, by using aninstruction message, the user equipment that a joint feedback needs tobe performed for the sub-frame of the primary cell and the consecutivesub-frames of the secondary cell.

TABLE 6 HARQ-ACK message to be transmitted w0 w1 w2 w3 w4 W5 w6 w7 w8 w9A/D/D 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 N/D/D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D/A/D 1 1 1 1 1 0 00 0 0 D/N/D 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 D/D/A 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 D/D/N 0 0 1 11 0 0 1 1 1 A/A/D 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 A/N/D 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 N/A/D 00 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 N/N/D 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 A/D/A 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1A/D/N 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 N/D/A 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 N/D/N 1 0 0 1 1 1 01 0 0 D/A/A 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 D/A/N 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 D/N/A 0 1 1 00 0 1 0 1 1 D/N/N 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 A/A/A 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 A/A/N 01 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 A/N/A 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 A/N/N 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1N/A/A 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 N/A/N 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 N/N/A 1 0 0 0 1 0 11 0 1 N/N/N 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 PRE/POS PRE 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 POST 0 10 0 1 0 0 1 0 0

Timing of an uplink feedback of the user equipment is performed based onthe downlink sub-frame of the primary cell or the second sub-frame ofthe secondary cell.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of dual-carrier scenario 2 according toEmbodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, in thisembodiment, at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames include twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames of a primary cell and one downlinksub-frame of a secondary cell.

Order of feedback information is: the first downlink sub-frame of theprimary cell, the second downlink sub-frame of the primary cell, and thedownlink sub-frame of the secondary cell.

Joint encoding and feedback are performed for the two consecutivedownlink sub-frames of the primary cell and the one downlink sub-frameof the secondary cell, and user equipment and a base station maydetermine a joint feedback by means of an agreement, or an RNC notifiesUE and a base station that a joint feedback needs to be performed forthe consecutive sub-frames of the primary cell and the sub-frame of thesecondary cell, or a base station may notify, by using an instructionmessage, user equipment that a joint feedback needs to be performed forthe consecutive sub-frames of the primary cell and the sub-frame of thesecondary cell. Specifically, uplink feedbacks are in the following twodata formats, as shown in Table 7 and Table 8.

For a specific configuration manner, the configuration manner in asingle-carrier scenario may be extensively used, and details are notdescribed herein again. In addition, in a multi-carrier scenario, anetwork may configure order of sub-frames of the primary cell and thesecondary cell in a joint feedback for multiple carriers.

TABLE 7 Cell activation status Cell 1 Cell 2 DC Sub-frame Sub Sub frame0 HS-DPCCH sub-frame #1 case 0 frame 1 Sub frame 1 Slot 0 Slot 1 Slot 21 A A A A0&A1&A2 CQI0&CQI1 2 A A — A0&A1&D CQI0

In Table 7, DC case 1 indicates that both the primary cell and thesecondary cell are activated, a joint feedback is performed for the twosub-frames of the primary cell and the one sub-frame of the secondarycell, and a joint feedback is also performed for CQI0 of the primarycell and CQI1 of the secondary cell. DC case 2 indicates that only theprimary cell is activated, the secondary cell is deactivated, a jointfeedback is performed for the two sub-frames of the primary cell, anduplink feedback is performed for CQI0 of the primary cell.

TABLE 8 Cell activation status Cell 1 Cell 2 DC Sub Sub frame 0 HS-DPCCHsub-frame #1 case Sub-frame 0 frame 1 Sub frame 1 Slot 0 Slot 1 Slot 2 1A A A A0&A1&A2 CQI0 CQI1 2 A A — A0&A1&D CQI0

In Table 8, DC case 1 indicates that both the primary cell and thesecondary cell are activated, a joint feedback is performed for the twosub-frames of the primary cell and the one sub-frame of the secondarycell, but uplink feedback is separately performed for CQI0 of theprimary cell and CQI1 of the secondary cell. DC case 2 indicates thatonly the primary cell is activated, the secondary cell is deactivated, ajoint feedback is performed for the two sub-frames of the primary cell,and uplink feedback is independently performed for CQI0 of the primarycell.

For a codebook of an HARQ feedback in this case, the DF-3C jointfeedback codebook in Embodiment 2 is also used, as shown in Table 9:

TABLE 9 HARQ-ACK message to be transmitted w₀ w₁ w₂ w₃ w₄ w₅ w₆ w₇ w₈ w₉A/D/D 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 N/D/D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D/A/D 1 1 1 1 1 0 00 0 0 D/N/D 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 D/D/A 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 D/D/N 0 0 1 11 0 0 1 1 1 A/A/D 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 A/N/D 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 N/A/D 00 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 N/N/D 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 A/D/A 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1A/D/N 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 N/D/A 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 N/D/N 1 0 0 1 1 1 01 0 0 D/A/A 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 D/A/N 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 D/N/A 0 1 1 00 0 1 0 1 1 D/N/N 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 A/A/A 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 A/A/N 01 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 A/N/A 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 A/N/N 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1N/A/A 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 N/A/N 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 N/N/A 1 0 0 0 1 0 11 0 1 N/N/N 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 PRE/POS PRE 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 POST 0 10 0 1 0 0 1 0 0

Timing of an uplink feedback of the user equipment is performed based onthe downlink sub-frame of the secondary cell or the second sub-frame ofthe primary cell.

Specifically, according to another representation method of a jointfeedback, in HARQ-ACK feedback information, the first piece of feedbackinformation is feedback information for the secondary cell, the secondpiece of feedback information is feedback information for the firstsub-frame of the primary cell, and the third piece of feedbackinformation is feedback information for the second sub-frame of theprimary cell.

For a specific configuration manner, the configuration manner in thesingle-carrier scenario may be extensively used. Optionally, in amulti-carrier scenario, a network may configure order of sub-frames ofthe primary cell and the secondary cell in a joint feedback for multiplecarriers; or a network side may configure a reference codebook used fora joint feedback for multiple carriers.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of dual-carrier scenario 3 according toEmbodiment 4 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, in thisembodiment, at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames include twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames of a primary cell and two consecutivedownlink sub-frames of a secondary cell.

Order of feedback information is: the first downlink sub-frame of theprimary cell, the second downlink sub-frame of the primary cell, thefirst downlink sub-frame of the secondary cell, and the second downlinksub-frame of the secondary cell.

Joint encoding and feedback are performed for the two consecutivedownlink sub-frames of the primary cell and the two consecutive downlinksub-frames of the secondary cell, and user equipment and a base stationmay determine a joint feedback by pre-negotiation, or a base station maynotify, by using an instruction message, user equipment that a jointfeedback needs to be performed for the consecutive sub-frames of theprimary cell and the consecutive sub-frames of the secondary cell.Specifically, uplink feedbacks are in the following two data formats, asshown in Table 10 and Table 11.

TABLE 10 Cell activation status Cell 1 Cell 2 Sub-frame Sub-frame Group0 Group 1 Sub Sub Sub Sub HS-DPCCH sub-frame #1 DC case 0 1 0 1 Slot 0Slot 1 Slot 2 3 A A A A A0&A1 A2&A3 CQI0 CQI1 4 A A — — A0&A1 D&D CQI0

In Table 10, DC case 3 indicates that both the primary cell and thesecondary cell are activated, a joint feedback is performed for the twosub-frames of the primary cell and the two sub-frames of the secondarycell, but uplink feedback is separately performed for CQI0 of theprimary cell and CQI1 of the secondary cell. DC case 2 indicates thatonly the primary cell is activated, the secondary cell is deactivated, ajoint feedback is performed for the two sub-frames of the primary cell,and uplink feedback is independently performed for CQI0 of the primarycell.

TABLE 11 Cell activation status Cell 1 Cell 2 Sub Sub Sub Sub frameframe frame frame HS-DPCCH sub-frame #1 DC case 0 1 0 1 Slot 0 Slot 1Slot 2 3 A A A A A0&A1 A2&A3 CQI0&CQI1 4 A A — — A0&A1 D&D CQI0

In Table 11, DC case 1 represents that both the primary cell and thesecondary cell are activated, a joint feedback is performed for the twosub-frames of the primary cell and the two sub-frames of the secondarycell, and a joint feedback is also performed for CQI0 of the primarycell and CQI1 of the secondary cell. DC case 2 represents that only theprimary cell is activated, the secondary cell is deactivated, a jointfeedback is performed for the two sub-frames of the primary cell, anduplink feedback is performed for CQI0 of the primary cell.

For a codebook of an HARQ feedback in this case, the DC joint feedbackcodebook in Embodiment 1 is used. Similar to the implementation scenarioin which at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames are a singlecarrier, a joint feedback for the first sub-frame and the secondsub-frame that are of the primary cell and a joint feedback for thefirst sub-frame and the second sub-frame that are of the secondary cellare also classified into three cases, the feedback codebook formatsshown in Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3 are used, and details are notdescribed herein again. A network may configure order of sub-frames ofthe primary cell and the secondary cell in a joint feedback for multiplecarriers.

Optionally, another encoding manner for a joint feedback may be that: ajoint feedback is performed for the first sub-frame of the primary celland the first sub-frame of the secondary cell, and A0&A1 are fed back byusing the codebook in Table 1, Table 2, or Table 3; a joint feedback isperformed for the second sub-frame of the primary cell and the secondsub-frame of the secondary cell, and A2&A3 are fed back by using thecodebook in Table 1, Table 2, or Table 3.

Further, the network indicates, to the UE or the base station, acodebook for joint feedback. For example, the network may indicate asub-frame combination manner that is for joint feedback and ofsub-frames of the primary cell and the secondary cell, and acorresponding codebook to be used.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of Embodiment 2 of an uplink feedback methodaccording to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the uplinkfeedback method provided in this embodiment is executed by a basestation. The uplink feedback method in this embodiment includes:

S201. The base station transmits downlink data to user equipment.

Specifically, at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames may be atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames on a single carrier, or mayinclude downlink sub-frames on at least two carriers.

In an implementation scenario in which the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames are at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames ona single carrier, optionally, a sum of lengths of the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames on the single carrier is equal to alength of an uplink sub-frame. For example, in a single-carrierscenario, when downlink carrier bandwidth is two times uplink carrierbandwidth, a length of an uplink sub-frame is two times a length of adownlink sub-frame.

In an implementation scenario in which the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames are at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames onat least two carriers, optionally, the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames on the at least two carriers may include at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames of a primary cell of the user equipment;or the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames on the at least twocarriers may include at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of asecondary cell of the user equipment. For example, in a dual-carrierscenario, when uplink bandwidth of a primary carrier cell is halfdownlink bandwidth of a primary cell or a secondary cell, a length of anuplink sub-frame of the primary cell is two times a length of a downlinksub-frame of the primary cell or the secondary cell.

Further, a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the primary cell maybe equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell; or asum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the secondary cell may be equalto a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell.

S202. The base station receives, in an uplink sub-frame corresponding toat least two consecutive downlink sub-frames, joint uplink feedbackinformation that is for the at least two consecutive downlink sub-framesand transmitted by the user equipment.

Optionally, the joint uplink feedback information includes jointencoding information of the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames, where the joint encoding information refers to HARQinformation in a joint uplink feedback and a channel quality indicatorCQI. The HARQ information that is fed back includes ACK acknowledgementor NACK non-acknowledgement information for the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames. For example, for a single-carrier scenario, theHARQ information includes received feedback information corresponding toa quantity of downlink sub-frames; for a dual-carrier scenario, the HARQinformation includes received feedback information for downlinksub-frames of multiple carriers. The channel quality indicator includesa quantity of channel quality indicators of one cell of the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames. For example, for a single-carrierscenario, there is only one piece of CQI information; for a dual-carrierscenario, there are two pieces of CQI information.

According to the uplink feedback method provided in this embodiment, abase station transmits downlink data to user equipment, and the userequipment transmits joint uplink feedback information for at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames to the base station, which implementsuplink feedback when downlink bandwidth is different from uplinkbandwidth or when an uplink transmission time interval is greater than adownlink transmission time interval.

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of userequipment according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, theuser equipment provided in this embodiment includes: a data receivingmodule 11, a joint encoding module 12, and a feedback informationtransmitting module 13.

The data receiving module 11 is configured to detect downlink data in atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames.

The joint encoding module 12 is configured to perform joint encoding fora feedback for the downlink data in the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames.

The feedback information transmitting module 13 is configured totransmit, in an uplink sub-frame corresponding to the last sub-frame ofthe at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames, joint uplink feedbackinformation for the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames.

Specifically, the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames may be atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames on a single carrier, or mayinclude downlink sub-frames on at least two carriers.

In an implementation scenario in which the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames are at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames ona single carrier, optionally, a sum of lengths of the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames on the single carrier is equal to alength of an uplink sub-frame.

In an implementation scenario in which the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames are at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames onat least two carriers, optionally, the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames on the at least two carriers may include at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames of a primary cell of the user equipment;or the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames on the at least twocarriers may include at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of asecondary cell of the user equipment.

Further, a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the primary cell maybe equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell; or asum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the secondary cell may be equalto a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell.

Optionally, the joint uplink feedback information includes jointencoding information of the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames, where the joint encoding information refers to a data formatof a joint uplink feedback and a channel quality indicator CQI, and aquantity of pieces of HARQ feedback information in the joint encodinginformation is greater than a quantity of cells.

The user equipment in this embodiment may be configured to execute thetechnical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 1, andimplementation principles and technical effects of the user equipmentare similar and are not described herein again.

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of a basestation according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the basestation provided in this embodiment includes: a data transmitting module21 and a feedback information receiving module 22.

The data transmitting module 21 is configured to transmit downlink datato user equipment.

The feedback information receiving module 22 is configured to receive,in an uplink sub-frame corresponding to at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames, joint uplink feedback information that is for theat least two consecutive downlink sub-frames and transmitted by the userequipment.

Specifically, the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames may be atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames on a single carrier, or mayinclude downlink sub-frames on at least two carriers.

In an implementation scenario in which the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames are at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames ona single carrier, optionally, a sum of lengths of the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames on the single carrier is equal to alength of an uplink sub-frame.

In an implementation scenario in which the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames are at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames onat least two carriers, optionally, the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames on the at least two carriers may include at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames of a primary cell of the user equipment;or the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames on the at least twocarriers may include at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of asecondary cell of the user equipment.

Further, a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the primary cell maybe equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell; or asum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the secondary cell may be equalto a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell.

Optionally, the joint uplink feedback information includes jointencoding information of the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames, where the joint encoding information refers to a data formatof a joint uplink feedback and a channel quality indicator CQI, and aquantity of pieces of HARQ feedback information in the joint encodinginformation is greater than a quantity of cells.

The base station in this embodiment may be configured to execute thetechnical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 6, andimplementation principles and technical effects of the base station aresimilar and are not described herein again.

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of userequipment according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, theuser equipment provided in this embodiment includes: a receiver 31, aprocessor 32, and a transmitter 33.

The receiver 31 is configured to detect downlink data in at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames.

The processor 32 is configured to perform joint encoding for a feedbackfor the downlink data in the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames.

The transmitter 33 is configured to transmit, in an uplink sub-framecorresponding to the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames, jointuplink feedback information for the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames to a base station.

The user equipment in this embodiment may be configured to execute thetechnical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 1, andimplementation principles and technical effects of the user equipmentare similar and are not described herein again.

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of a basestation according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, thebase station provided in this embodiment includes: a transmitter 41 anda receiver 42.

The transmitter 41 is configured to transmit downlink data to userequipment.

The receiver 42 is configured to receive, in an uplink sub-framecorresponding to at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames, jointuplink feedback information that is for the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames and transmitted by the user equipment.

The base station in this embodiment may be configured to execute thetechnical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 6, andimplementation principles and technical effects of the base station aresimilar and are not described herein again.

A person of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all or some ofthe steps of the method embodiments may be implemented by a programinstructing relevant hardware. The program may be stored in a computerreadable storage medium. When the program runs, the steps of the methodembodiments are performed. The foregoing storage medium includes: anymedium that can store program code, such as a ROM, a RAM, a magneticdisk, or an optical disc.

Finally, it should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merelyintended for describing the technical solutions of the presentinvention, but not for limiting the present invention. Although thepresent invention is described in detail with reference to the foregoingembodiments, persons of ordinary skill in the art should understand thatthey may still make modifications to the technical solutions describedin the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent replacements to some orall technical features thereof, without departing from the scope of thetechnical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An uplink feedback method, comprising: detecting,by a user equipment, downlink data in at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames; joint encoding, by the user equipment, feedback signalsresponding to the downlink data in the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames to obtain joint uplink feedback information; andtransmitting, by the user equipment in an uplink sub-frame used fortransmitting feedback information for one of the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames, the joint uplink feedback informationfor the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames; wherein length ofthe uplink sub-frame used for transmitting the feedback information is Nmultiplied by length of one downlink sub-frame in the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames, wherein N is an integer greater than 2.2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames comprise one selected from the group consisting of:at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of a primary cell of theuser equipment; and at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of asecondary cell of the user equipment.
 3. The method according to claim2, wherein: when the at least two consecutive downlink sub-framescomprise the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of the primarycell of the user equipment, a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames ofthe primary cell is equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of theprimary cell; and when the at least two consecutive downlink sub-framescomprise the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of thesecondary cell of the user equipment, a sum of lengths of downlinksub-frames of the secondary cell is equal to the length of the uplinksub-frame of the primary cell.
 4. The method according to claim 1,wherein a quantity of pieces of Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)feedback information in the joint uplink feedback information is greaterthan a quantity of cells.
 5. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe joint uplink feedback information comprises at least one selectedfrom the group consisting of: (a) a quantity of the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames, and (b) sub-frame numbers of the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames.
 6. An uplink feedback method,comprising: transmitting, by a base station, downlink data to a userequipment; and receiving, by the base station in an uplink sub-frameused for transmitting feedback information for one of at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames, joint uplink feedback informationresponding to the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames from theuser equipment; wherein length of the uplink sub-frame used fortransmitting the feedback information is N multiplied by length of onedownlink sub-frame in the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames,wherein N is an integer greater than
 2. 7. The method according to claim6, wherein the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames comprise oneselected from the group consisting of: at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames of a primary cell of the user equipment; and at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames of a secondary cell of the userequipment.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: when the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames comprise the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames of the primary cell of the userequipment, a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the primary cellis equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell; andwhen the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames comprise the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames of the secondary cell of theuser equipment, a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the secondarycell is equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell. 9.The method according to claim 6, wherein a quantity of pieces of Hybridautomatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback information in the joint uplinkfeedback information is greater than a quantity of cells.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 6, wherein the joint uplink feedback informationcomprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: (a) aquantity of the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames, and (b)sub-frame numbers of the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames.11. A user equipment, comprising: a receiver; a transmitter; and aprocessor coupled to a non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumstoring executable instructions, such that when the executableinstructions are executed by the processor, the processor facilitatesperforming: detecting, by the receiver, downlink data in at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames; jointly encoding feedback signalsresponding to the downlink data in the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames to obtain joint uplink feedback information; andtransmitting, by the transmitter, in an uplink sub-frame used fortransmitting feedback information for one of the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames, the joint uplink feedback informationfor the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames; wherein length ofthe uplink sub-frame used for transmitting the feedback information is Nmultiplied by length of one downlink sub-frame in the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames, wherein N is an integer greater than 2.12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames comprise one selected from the groupconsisting of: at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames of a primarycell of the user equipment; and at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames of a secondary cell of the user equipment.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein: when the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames comprise the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames of the primary cell of the user equipment, a sum of lengthsof downlink sub-frames of the primary cell is equal to a length of anuplink sub-frame of the primary cell; and when the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames comprise the at least two consecutivedownlink sub-frames of the secondary cell of the user equipment, a sumof lengths of downlink sub-frames of the secondary cell is equal to alength of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell.
 14. The apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein a quantity of pieces of Hybrid automaticrepeat request (HARQ) feedback information in the joint uplink feedbackinformation is greater than a quantity of cells.
 15. The apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein the joint uplink feedback informationcomprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: (a) aquantity of the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames, and (b)sub-frame numbers of the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames.16. An apparatus, comprising; a receiver; a transmitter; and a processorcoupled to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storingexecutable instructions, such that when the executable instructions areexecuted by the processor, the processor facilitates performing:transmitting, by the transmitter, downlink data to a user equipment; andreceiving, by the receiver, in an uplink sub-frame used for transmittingfeedback information for one of at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames, joint uplink feedback information responding to the at leasttwo consecutive downlink sub-frames and transmitted by the userequipment; wherein length of the uplink sub-frame used for transmittingthe feedback information is N multiplied by length of one downlinksub-frame in the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames, wherein Nis an integer greater than
 2. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16,wherein the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames comprise oneselected from the group consisting of: at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames of a primary cell of the user equipment; and at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames of a secondary cell of the userequipment.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein: when the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames comprise the at least twoconsecutive downlink sub-frames of the primary cell of the userequipment, a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the primary cellis equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell; andwhen the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames comprise the atleast two consecutive downlink sub-frames of the secondary cell of theuser equipment, a sum of lengths of downlink sub-frames of the secondarycell is equal to a length of an uplink sub-frame of the primary cell.19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a quantity of pieces ofHybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback information in the jointuplink feedback information is greater than a quantity of cells.
 20. Theapparatus according to claim 16, wherein the joint uplink feedbackinformation comprises at least one selected from the group consistingof: (a) a quantity of the at least two consecutive downlink sub-frames,and (b) sub-frame numbers of the at least two consecutive downlinksub-frames.